Metal finishing is essential for military vehicles and components to withstand vibration, extreme temperatures and harsh operational environments. RIE Coatings delivers finishing solutions that meet SAE-AMS-M-3171 and other key defense standards. Our solutions protect fasteners, gear housings, subassemblies, threaded fasteners and avionics mounts against corrosion.
SAE-AMS-M-3171 defines pretreatment and corrosion prevention methods for magnesium alloys in defense and aerospace systems. The spec addresses chromate and related conversion finishes for compliant, corrosion-resistant assemblies. This standard details several conversion processes for magnesium, each offering varying degrees of corrosion resistance and paint adhesion.
If you’re a military decision-maker, you may consult SAE-AMS-M-3171 for:
SAE-AMS-M-3171 outlines chromate conversion finishes, mostly using hexavalent-based (Cr⁶⁺) compounds. These compounds have health and environmental risks and are heavily restricted in the European Union and in some industries. They are still permissible for some military applications in the U.S.
We can apply MIL-SPEC finishes, find SAE-AMS-M-3171 solutions and ensure your components meet relevant Department of Defense (DoD) requirements. Our entire process, from lab testing to packaging, occurs in-house to ensure each part meets the rigors of field-ready operations.
Our Albuquerque facility is AS9100 and ITAR-certified, as well as ISO 9001:2015 certified. We deliver solutions that support DoD initiatives around safer, sustainable finishes, including Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), and the latest U.S. military directives to minimize hexavalent chrome and cadmium.
We collaborate with military suppliers, offering options beyond what is outlined in SAE-AMS-M-3171. This includes chrome‑free zinc‑flake solutions and trivalent chem films that offer a less environmentally harmful option. Not all alternatives are in M-3171. Our engineers work directly with you to analyze your requirements and recommend the best process for compliance, durability and field reliability.
Our military-grade metal finishing solutions are designed for the toughest conditions, including military aircraft, naval and ground assets, tanks, and unmanned vehicle applications. With every project, you gain a partner invested in quality, safety and life cycle performance, so your mission stays on track.
RIE leads with next-generation, regulation-compliant finishes, anticipating trends toward safer alternatives.
This electrochemical surface treatment creates a corrosion-resistant oxide layer on aluminum, one of the industry’s primary structural materials. Real-world examples of its use include:
Chromating or chromate conversion coatings provide excellent corrosion resistance properties to aluminum components. They also provide a great surface for primer paint adhesion.
This coating appears in:
This treatment deposits a consistent, corrosion-resistant layer of nickel-phosphorus or nickel-boron alloy on components without using electricity.
It’s ideal for:
In space, satellites experience solar radiation, considerable temperature changes and micrometeoroid and orbital debris impacts. Our coatings for satellites shield your components from these conditions, ensuring proper satellite functionality.
The lightweight construction of unmanned aerial vehicles increases their susceptibility to environmental factors. By applying coatings to drone wings and bodies, we empower you to supply durable equipment with less drag and better thermal control.
Fixed wings endure rain, sand, hail and temperature changes, which can lead to corrosion over time. To maintain structural integrity and performance, we apply commercial aircraft protective coatings, particularly along leading edges and fastener lines.
Rotor blades experience fatigue and environmental degradation over time. Our specialized coatings safeguard them from abrasion and corrosion to preserve their performance and structural integrity.
Our solutions help each part of your build last longer, perform better, increase safety and maintain fuel efficiency.
Using our coatings provides key engineering benefits:
With a 99.6% on-time delivery rate and military-spec-compliant solutions, RIE helps you develop new mission-ready systems and keep existing hardware and assets ready for service.
Call (320) 382-5595, contact us online or email us at info@riecoatings.com to consult with an engineer on our team. Urgent inquiries? Our team provides quotes within 24 business hours and technical answers in just a few hours.
